Choosing an Online MSN Program

[pleasenocdif]

Okay...It has been a little over a year since I graduated with my BSN. I am working full time in ICU 3 nights a week. I am very interested in perusing an MSN online (to clarify, I do not want to go the NP route), but I have questions:

1) MSN- Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) is very appealing to me. Sacred Heart University online has this program which preps for the AACN CNL certificate Exam.

-Any thoughts on the value of a degree from an online program like this? Does it really make an impact on the value of your credentials after you earn the title and take the exam?

-What is the value of the AACN CNL certification in the real world of healthcare?

-Any CNLs out there? I am currently focused on staying in the critical care setting, gaining a more comprehensive understanding in my own nursing practice, and having more leadership opportunities later on with more work experience. Not so interested in administration currently (I am a noob), I still want to maintain focus on patient care. Is CNL on the right track with this? How versatile is this degree?

2) Some programs offer an "MSN in nursing leadership and administration":

-I have not seen any of these programs offer any certification prep as mentioned above. Does that matter?

-Is an MSN in leadership and administration more valuable in the real world compared to MSN-CNL? Thoughts?

Thank you in advance, everyone :)

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[Lunah, MSN, RN]

Good morning! I have moved your post to the post-grad forum to encourage responses.

I think you are on the right track with CNL. I work closely with a CNL who does ED performance improvement. It seems like a pretty flexible degree as far as applicability in many roles.

[pleasenocdif]

Thank you!